The Genesis Apartments at Union Square provide permanent housing for low-income and formerly homeless families. It also houses a full complement of social services essential to support and enhance community life, such as day care, library, computer classrooms, counseling offices, and medical suites. Prior to Genesis Apartments, Cooper, Robertson & Partners architects completed three low-rise projects for the HELP Corporation, a not-for-profit formed to develop innovative approaches to community development and urban revitalization. Genesis Apartments was the first high-rise building in Manhattan for the HELP Corporation.

The design principles incorporated into the Genesis Apartments include: controlled single entry access; three floors of support services; and large mixed-use recreational spaces differentiated for various age groups. A Tenant Equity Program has also been developed to provide residents the opportunity to participate for pay in the management and maintenance of the building.

The project has received state and city AIA Design Awards as well as praise from its surrounding neighbors as a welcome addition to the community.

Support household and neighborhood fit:

To facilitate neighborhood and household fit, Genesis Apartments includes three floors of support services essential to support and enhance community life, such as day care, library, computer classrooms, counseling offices, and medical suites. In addition, tenants are given the opportunity to earn extra income by managing and maintaining the building themselves.

In addition, the Genesis Apartments provides large mixed-use recreational spaces differentiated for various age groups.

Support physical safety and security:

Genesis Apartments has been designed with a single, controlled-access entry to the residences as well as the support services. The single entry ensures the safety and security of its residents and everyday users. The Tenant Improvement Program, which imparts maintenance responsibility to the tenants, also supports the physical safety and security of the residents. Tenants take proprietary interest in Genesis Apartments, increasing their concern not only for the physical maintenance, but also for the safety of the residential community.

Also, the recreational spaces increase physical safety and security, in particular through encouraging community involvement in the development. The Genesis Apartments invited Grace Church to conduct programs in various spaces throughout the building, transforming the building into a community asset. The public, recreational spaces increase the building's visibility in the community, and, also, its protection by the community.